New Delhi, Feb 23 (.) Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday interacted with the ‘Sarathis’ of Bharat Taxi in the national capital and said those who work hard in jobs should be the ones receiving profits.
He said Bharat Taxi’s objective is to make taxi owners prosperous, emphasising that the ‘Sarathi’ (driver partner) is the real owner, and will have a share in the profits.
He expressed hope that in the coming three years, ‘Bharat Taxi’ will be present across all municipal corporations in the country.
Shah said that Bharat Taxi has been formed by getting on board five major cooperatives. He said that with the number of ‘Sarathis’ increasing, any ‘Saarthi’ who wishes to become a partner will gain ownership rights by purchasing shares worth Rs 500.
The Minister said that when elections to the Board of Directors of Bharat Taxi are held, some seats will be reserved for the driver partners of the cooperative. Once the Sarathis become part of the Board of Directors, they themselves will safeguard and represent the interests and concerns of the driver partners.
He asserted that the objective of the initiative is not to earn huge profits for the likes of the private companies, and the aim is to empower drivers.
Shah said the policies of the cooperative will also be decided by the driver partners.
The Home Minister said that 20 per cent of Bharat Taxi’s total earnings will be deposited into the cooperative’s account as the ‘Sarathis’ capital, and 80 per cent of the money will be returned to the drivers’ accounts on the basis of the number of kilometres the taxi has been driven.
Notably, the initial three years will go into the expansion of Bharat Taxi, and after that, whatever profit is generated, 20 per cent of it will remain with the cooperative, and 80 per cent will be go back to driver partners.
Shah assured that Bharat Taxi Cooperative will be transparent by providing information to the driver partners through notifications. This will make it the most transparent cab service globally.
The HM explained that in Bharat Taxi, a base rate will be created by combining the cost of the auto, petrol consumption, and minimum profit, and the service will not operate below this rate.
He also mentioned the concept of ‘Sarathi Didi’ (lady driver), which has been envisioned in this initiative.
The ‘Sarathi Didi’ facility of Bharat Taxi will make women driver partners self-reliant and will also ensure safety of women passengers.
Shah also informed that in the days to come, a provision will be made in the Bharat Taxi app under the name ‘ Sarathi Didi,’ which will have a provision of giving priority to a solo female passenger, assigning to a ‘Sarathi Didi’.
In a message to the Sarathis, Shah said they must never refer to themselves as drivers, and call themselves ‘Sarathi’ instead, with pride.
. APS RB 1902